I started a new project yesterday, called Barn Stars. These little blocks are the cutest things ever. They are only 4 1/2 inches! It is a Simple What Nots kit I never got around to finishing, and now that I have time on my hands, I can finally get to it.
I am simply loving making these smaller projects. I have to share something though. Those darn Simple What Nots kits cost quite a bit of money (for my budget anyway), so I dropped out of the club after two years. Seems to me the cost per kit was somewhere between $40-45. It wasn't every month, they came out with six a year, but you could only get the kits if you were in the club. Whenever I made up one of the kits, I always had a ton of fabric left over, which I didn't mind too much until I started thinking if they put less fabric in the kits they could lower the price and I could keep on buying them instead of dropping out.
So, for this kit, I cut out my fabric and this is how much I needed per block. One 3 1/2" strip. All the rest is leftover. I could make four of these quilts! Or add the leftover fabric to my ever expanding stash of Kim Diehl fabrics. The cut they give you is something they call a "chubby sixteenth". Is that some kind of minimum cut do you think?
Still, I'd rather have less fabric and pay only $25 for the kit. The kits, fabrics and patterns are adorable, and I surely would have stayed in the club if the price had been a bit more affordable. Anyone else belong to the Simple What Nots Club and have similar thoughts? Or am I missing the point? Just curious.
Speaking of spending $25, that is about what this minuscule rectangle of plastic cost me. It seems pricey, but it was worth every penny! It is the 1 x 2 inch Bloc Loc flying geese trim tool. I have used it so much since I got it. The Moda Blockheads blocks call for flying geese that size, and I have used it in several of these small projects I have been favoring lately, including Barn Stars. Perfect geese, and at that tiny size, you have to be precise.
Oh, and I got some good news today. The bad news last week was that my husband got laid off. The good news this week is that he found a new job already. Whew.
60 responses to “Barn Stars”
A chubby 16th should measure 9″ X 11″. At the shop I work at we will make those kits up to exactly what the pattern calls for. Your fabric looks like what more than that. 😊
A chubby 16th should measure 9″ X 11″. At the shop I work at we will make those kits up to exactly what the pattern calls for. Your fabric looks like what more than that. 😊
A chubby 16th should measure 9″ X 11″. At the shop I work at we will make those kits up to exactly what the pattern calls for. Your fabric looks like what more than that. 😊
What cute little stars!!
I confess I do not e buy kits as I don’t want my quilts to match any other quilt. If I like a pattern, I try to draft it and use my chosen fabrics to make my version of the quilt in the kits. Just me.
Cheers for your sweetie’s new job! Hope this means he’s home during the week now.
Hugs!
What cute little stars!!
I confess I do not e buy kits as I don’t want my quilts to match any other quilt. If I like a pattern, I try to draft it and use my chosen fabrics to make my version of the quilt in the kits. Just me.
Cheers for your sweetie’s new job! Hope this means he’s home during the week now.
Hugs!
What cute little stars!!
I confess I do not e buy kits as I don’t want my quilts to match any other quilt. If I like a pattern, I try to draft it and use my chosen fabrics to make my version of the quilt in the kits. Just me.
Cheers for your sweetie’s new job! Hope this means he’s home during the week now.
Hugs!
So happy for your husband. He apparently has an excellent skill set that makes him very employable.
Definitely fortunate for all concerned.
So happy for your husband. He apparently has an excellent skill set that makes him very employable.
Definitely fortunate for all concerned.
So happy for your husband. He apparently has an excellent skill set that makes him very employable.
Definitely fortunate for all concerned.
I can understand giving a little extra fabric in a kit in case you need to square up an edge or you make a mistake – but it appears that you’ve been given a lot more than you need. I agree that lowering the price would make the clubs more attractive to myself as well.
Glad to hear that your bad news of last week turned itself around!
I can understand giving a little extra fabric in a kit in case you need to square up an edge or you make a mistake – but it appears that you’ve been given a lot more than you need. I agree that lowering the price would make the clubs more attractive to myself as well.
Glad to hear that your bad news of last week turned itself around!
I can understand giving a little extra fabric in a kit in case you need to square up an edge or you make a mistake – but it appears that you’ve been given a lot more than you need. I agree that lowering the price would make the clubs more attractive to myself as well.
Glad to hear that your bad news of last week turned itself around!
So happy to hear hubby will be working. When mine got laid off-there went the funds for fabric, gotta use what you have. Love those little project kits, but like you said-they’re a little pricy. I guess they give you extra for those who what to fussy cut every piece.
So happy to hear hubby will be working. When mine got laid off-there went the funds for fabric, gotta use what you have. Love those little project kits, but like you said-they’re a little pricy. I guess they give you extra for those who what to fussy cut every piece.
So happy to hear hubby will be working. When mine got laid off-there went the funds for fabric, gotta use what you have. Love those little project kits, but like you said-they’re a little pricy. I guess they give you extra for those who what to fussy cut every piece.
The stars are very cute. That is a good point about the extra fabric. Glad husband is back to work. That was fast!
Mary
The stars are very cute. That is a good point about the extra fabric. Glad husband is back to work. That was fast!
Mary
The stars are very cute. That is a good point about the extra fabric. Glad husband is back to work. That was fast!
Mary
Those are the cutest little stars! I have not bought any of her kits but collect her books for some day…….. So glad your hubby wasn’t out of commission for long! And yes, I would prefer less fabric in kits.
Those are the cutest little stars! I have not bought any of her kits but collect her books for some day…….. So glad your hubby wasn’t out of commission for long! And yes, I would prefer less fabric in kits.
Those are the cutest little stars! I have not bought any of her kits but collect her books for some day…….. So glad your hubby wasn’t out of commission for long! And yes, I would prefer less fabric in kits.
Well I want to make one of each of what you make, Nicole! Good news about your hubby.
Well I want to make one of each of what you make, Nicole! Good news about your hubby.
Well I want to make one of each of what you make, Nicole! Good news about your hubby.
Those blocks are cute, but the extravagant amount of fabric left over would make me wish for less at a lower price, too. My local shop stocks those Bloc Loc trim tools, so I know where to find them when a pattern calls for flying geese. Congratulations & I’m sure you’re both breathing a sigh of relief about your husband finding a new job so quickly!
Those blocks are cute, but the extravagant amount of fabric left over would make me wish for less at a lower price, too. My local shop stocks those Bloc Loc trim tools, so I know where to find them when a pattern calls for flying geese. Congratulations & I’m sure you’re both breathing a sigh of relief about your husband finding a new job so quickly!
Those blocks are cute, but the extravagant amount of fabric left over would make me wish for less at a lower price, too. My local shop stocks those Bloc Loc trim tools, so I know where to find them when a pattern calls for flying geese. Congratulations & I’m sure you’re both breathing a sigh of relief about your husband finding a new job so quickly!
I’m with you. I am a huge Kim Diehl fan and would love to join the Simple Whatnots Club, but the price is way too steep for my budget. If they reduced the amount of fabric so you had enough to use and to make a mistake, they could reduce the cost – you’re absolutely right! This is an adorable pattern.
I’m with you. I am a huge Kim Diehl fan and would love to join the Simple Whatnots Club, but the price is way too steep for my budget. If they reduced the amount of fabric so you had enough to use and to make a mistake, they could reduce the cost – you’re absolutely right! This is an adorable pattern.
I’m with you. I am a huge Kim Diehl fan and would love to join the Simple Whatnots Club, but the price is way too steep for my budget. If they reduced the amount of fabric so you had enough to use and to make a mistake, they could reduce the cost – you’re absolutely right! This is an adorable pattern.
I have avoided some of the clubs due to the cost…… Extra fabric is great to have but a lower price would be better with only what you need…….
I must put my bloc loc to use….I’ve only had it for a few months but need to get using it……. So pleased your husband found work so quick but no doubt there will be a mix up in pay as pay dates or periods end up different in the change over….. Once he is settled in its fine…..
I have avoided some of the clubs due to the cost…… Extra fabric is great to have but a lower price would be better with only what you need…….
I must put my bloc loc to use….I’ve only had it for a few months but need to get using it……. So pleased your husband found work so quick but no doubt there will be a mix up in pay as pay dates or periods end up different in the change over….. Once he is settled in its fine…..
I have avoided some of the clubs due to the cost…… Extra fabric is great to have but a lower price would be better with only what you need…….
I must put my bloc loc to use….I’ve only had it for a few months but need to get using it……. So pleased your husband found work so quick but no doubt there will be a mix up in pay as pay dates or periods end up different in the change over….. Once he is settled in its fine…..
Cute little stars! The main reason I don’t sign up to clubs is that shipping from USA to Germany is so high and if you have to spend it all over the year you are easily in a few hundreds (only with the Sew Sampler box the shipping is okay but sometimes I’m disappointed with what’s inside). But I rather have too much fabrics then not enough. My mum bought a kit a few ears back and there wasn’t enough fabric in to make the quilt. Perhaps you could find a quilty frined near you who would split the cost and since there’s enough fabric in you easily both make the quilt.
Congrats to your hubby to his new job!
Cute little stars! The main reason I don’t sign up to clubs is that shipping from USA to Germany is so high and if you have to spend it all over the year you are easily in a few hundreds (only with the Sew Sampler box the shipping is okay but sometimes I’m disappointed with what’s inside). But I rather have too much fabrics then not enough. My mum bought a kit a few ears back and there wasn’t enough fabric in to make the quilt. Perhaps you could find a quilty frined near you who would split the cost and since there’s enough fabric in you easily both make the quilt.
Congrats to your hubby to his new job!
Cute little stars! The main reason I don’t sign up to clubs is that shipping from USA to Germany is so high and if you have to spend it all over the year you are easily in a few hundreds (only with the Sew Sampler box the shipping is okay but sometimes I’m disappointed with what’s inside). But I rather have too much fabrics then not enough. My mum bought a kit a few ears back and there wasn’t enough fabric in to make the quilt. Perhaps you could find a quilty frined near you who would split the cost and since there’s enough fabric in you easily both make the quilt.
Congrats to your hubby to his new job!
Those barn stars are super cute. And so are your pinwheel log cabin blocks from yesterday.
No kits for me. Too pricey.
Great news that job loss has turned to new job so quickly.
Those barn stars are super cute. And so are your pinwheel log cabin blocks from yesterday.
No kits for me. Too pricey.
Great news that job loss has turned to new job so quickly.
Those barn stars are super cute. And so are your pinwheel log cabin blocks from yesterday.
No kits for me. Too pricey.
Great news that job loss has turned to new job so quickly.
Love that pattern, so cute! I think you should package up the scraps and sell them so you could recoup some cost or even go halves with someone. Happy to hear your hubs got a job so quickly, I’m sure that put your minds at ease. So stressful to look for work or wonder what to do without income.
Love that pattern, so cute! I think you should package up the scraps and sell them so you could recoup some cost or even go halves with someone. Happy to hear your hubs got a job so quickly, I’m sure that put your minds at ease. So stressful to look for work or wonder what to do without income.
Love that pattern, so cute! I think you should package up the scraps and sell them so you could recoup some cost or even go halves with someone. Happy to hear your hubs got a job so quickly, I’m sure that put your minds at ease. So stressful to look for work or wonder what to do without income.
I agree ~ too much to pay for kit. I wanted to join but when my friend told me the approx price of a kit I thought that was just too much even though she didn’t mention the excessive amount of fabric included. So I am truly envious of your barn star blocks. As always your work is lovely!
I agree ~ too much to pay for kit. I wanted to join but when my friend told me the approx price of a kit I thought that was just too much even though she didn’t mention the excessive amount of fabric included. So I am truly envious of your barn star blocks. As always your work is lovely!
I agree ~ too much to pay for kit. I wanted to join but when my friend told me the approx price of a kit I thought that was just too much even though she didn’t mention the excessive amount of fabric included. So I am truly envious of your barn star blocks. As always your work is lovely!
I would not be able to afford that much, I also would rather have it cost less than have a lot of extra fabric. I don’t have a problem really with the extra fabric, just would rather the kit be affordable. Your blocks are so pretty! It looks like they send very nice fabrics in the kits which is great. So pleased for your hubby and new job!
I would not be able to afford that much, I also would rather have it cost less than have a lot of extra fabric. I don’t have a problem really with the extra fabric, just would rather the kit be affordable. Your blocks are so pretty! It looks like they send very nice fabrics in the kits which is great. So pleased for your hubby and new job!
I would not be able to afford that much, I also would rather have it cost less than have a lot of extra fabric. I don’t have a problem really with the extra fabric, just would rather the kit be affordable. Your blocks are so pretty! It looks like they send very nice fabrics in the kits which is great. So pleased for your hubby and new job!
Glad your husband found another job so quickly, that sure relieves the stress. I understand because we are going through a massive reorganization where I work, and luckily, I will stay in pretty much my same position but a number of people are not happy with the outcome for them.
Glad your husband found another job so quickly, that sure relieves the stress. I understand because we are going through a massive reorganization where I work, and luckily, I will stay in pretty much my same position but a number of people are not happy with the outcome for them.
Glad your husband found another job so quickly, that sure relieves the stress. I understand because we are going through a massive reorganization where I work, and luckily, I will stay in pretty much my same position but a number of people are not happy with the outcome for them.
Glad your husband is already back in the employed column. Nobody needs that stress and worry.
Glad your husband is already back in the employed column. Nobody needs that stress and worry.
Glad your husband is already back in the employed column. Nobody needs that stress and worry.
Great news for your hubby! As for the What not’s group, my LQS and I worked together on these. I made the top up in advance and worked out the fabric requirements and then she made up the kits…..for $25 Then I did a drop in demo class for the block and went over any tricky parts, or demo’ed techniques, etc. I did find that a ruler with the 16th” marking helped on these barn star blocks!
Great news for your hubby! As for the What not’s group, my LQS and I worked together on these. I made the top up in advance and worked out the fabric requirements and then she made up the kits…..for $25 Then I did a drop in demo class for the block and went over any tricky parts, or demo’ed techniques, etc. I did find that a ruler with the 16th” marking helped on these barn star blocks!
Great news for your hubby! As for the What not’s group, my LQS and I worked together on these. I made the top up in advance and worked out the fabric requirements and then she made up the kits…..for $25 Then I did a drop in demo class for the block and went over any tricky parts, or demo’ed techniques, etc. I did find that a ruler with the 16th” marking helped on these barn star blocks!
Congratulations to your hubby!
Congratulations to your hubby!
Congratulations to your hubby!